These are some of the best Qatar Airways business class fares I’ve seen from the United States in quite a while, and one fare is even to a destination that’s very popular with visitors right now.
In this post:
Save $550 on Qatar Airways business class tickets
Alaska Airlines and Qatar Airways have a fairly new partnership, and to celebrate that, they’re offering a discount for Alaska Mileage Plan members by using promotion code MPMEMBERS:
- You can save $125 on a Qatar Airways roundtrip economy ticket and $550 on a roundtrip Qatar Airways business class (one-ways receive half the discounts)
- This is valid for flights booked by July 11, 2021, and for travel through July 11, 2022
- This is valid for all Qatar Airways itineraries originating in the United States
- You must book directly through Qatar Airways’ website to take advantage of this offer
- The terms indicate that this should work with all published fares, but it seems like some business class “Classic” fares aren’t applying this promo code
- Even though this promotion code is through Alaska Airlines, I don’t see any requirement to actually credit your flight to Alaska Mileage Plan
$550 off a roundtrip business class ticket represents significant savings. However, it’s more valuable when a fare is ~$2,500 to begin with, rather than $4,000+. Fortunately there are some good fares available right now.
Combine this with great Qatar Airways fares
There are several attractive Qatar Airways business class fares valid for travel originating in the United States right now, and you can save $550 on most of them. Among other fares, here are the published fares we’re seeing, pre-discount:
- Roundtrip business class from Houston to Delhi for $2,150
- Roundtrip business class from Miami to Zanzibar for $2,250
- Roundtrip business class from Seattle to Athens for $2,550
- Roundtrip business class from Miami to Cape Town for $2,730
- Roundtrip business class from New York to Johannesburg for $2,900
I’d recommend using Google Flights to look up eligible dates for these fares, and then using Qatar Airways’ website to actually book.
I’m having issues applying the promo code to the Zanzibar fare, though am having no issues with the promo code for Athens, Cape Town, Delhi, and Johannesburg, and those have the potential to be great deals.
In particular, a roundtrip business class ticket from Seattle to Athens via Doha pricing at under $2,000 is pretty awesome.
That Athens fare will likely be particularly interesting to people, given that Greece is open to visitors from the United States, and is a very popular destination right now. Of course it goes without saying that there are more direct ways to fly to Athens, so this is only for someone who loves flying and/or is looking to earn miles.
Also keep in mind that Qatar’s borders are closed, so you’ll be restricted to staying airside, even during long layovers (fortunately there’s a solid transit hotel, and the Qatar Airways Al Safwa Lounge has beds).
These are also Qatar Airways’ “basic” business class fares, so they don’t come with advance seat assignments or lounge access. However, if you have oneworld elite status you can still assign seats in advance, and potentially get lounge access during your journey.
Fortunately Qatar Airways Qsuites is one of the best business class products in the world, so this is a heck of a way to fly.
How many miles can you earn with these fares?
You can earn a lot of miles with these fares. Generally I’d say your best bet is to credit these flights either to Alaska Mileage Plan or American AAdvantage.
Here’s the Alaska Mileage Plan earnings chart for travel on Qatar Airways:
Alaska Mileage Plan members earn 125% elite qualifying miles and 225% redeemable miles for travel on Qatar Airways, not including any elite bonuses.
Here’s the American AAdvantage earnings chart for travel on Qatar Airways:
AAdvantage members earn 150% elite qualifying and redeemable miles, plus elite qualifying dollars equivalent to 20% of the distance flown. AAdvantage elite bonuses apply to the redeemable miles earned.
All else being equal, you’re probably better off crediting to Alaska Mileage Plan, given that you earn significantly more redeemable miles.
Bottom line
Qatar Airways has some solid business class fares to begin with, and these can be lowered by $550 roundtrip using the MPMEMBERS promotion code. In particular, being able to fly roundtrip business class from Seattle to Athens for under $2,000 is an exceptional deal. Travel with this fare is available as early as July, so you could still plan a summer getaway this way.
Anyone planning on taking advantage of one of these fares, or see similarly good fares in another market?
I had no problems using the code to book JFK-AMD round trip with $550 discount for R class fare for Jan/Feb trip. Nice deal at $2067.99 for each ticket.
It looks like they’ve ended this promotion prematurely. I tried shopping for flights from SEA to ATH and the site responded that the promo code was no longer valid on 19 June for travel in September.
Use caution booking these fares. I was looking around at flights between IAD and JNB next year and while selecting flights, the outbound business class flights with discount shows a price of $1,719. After selecting return flights and seeing the entire itinerary, however, the price on the outbound flights increases to $1,846, wiping out more than half of the discount for no apparent reason. There was no change to the return flight pricing, but apparently...
Use caution booking these fares. I was looking around at flights between IAD and JNB next year and while selecting flights, the outbound business class flights with discount shows a price of $1,719. After selecting return flights and seeing the entire itinerary, however, the price on the outbound flights increases to $1,846, wiping out more than half of the discount for no apparent reason. There was no change to the return flight pricing, but apparently no way to actually get the displayed price on the outbound legs. Very deceptive pricing or a computer glitch?
Aweomse. This post saved me $1100 (or technically $1300)
Had a roundtrip Qatar business class flight already booked for 2 people. Their 100% flexibility policy allows you to cancel and get a full refund. Saw that the price had gone down slightly ($200 for 2 people), applied the coupon and saw it come down $1100 further.
Called in, cancelled for a refund, and rebooked flight for $1300 cheaper than the original booking.
Has anyone found any flights to London for under $2500 from anywhere in the US.
Promo still going. I’m looking at flights LAX-JNB and I’m getting $275 off per direction. This morning, 6/27.
Qatar actually doesn't allow further discounts on Business Class flights they consider to be super cheap. I've tried various combinations this time and when they ran their previous offer ($500 off). It looks like anything priced around $1300 one way in business they don't allow further discounts on each of the one way legs.
Brian:
Any one-way business flights to Barcelona May 31 for less than $2,500?
So I saw this and got excited as well, and have been trying to book business class IAD-->CPT. I'm looking for the "cheapest" (Classic) business class fare - and when you put the promo code in it doesn't even change the price. It appears to change the price for "comfort" and "elite" by $275 one way, and then on the return trip it doesn't discount it at all. Has anyone been able to get the true $550 discount for business class to work on the Classic fare?
This is very misleading if you're looking for the cheapest fare. I've actually been searching this weekend for flights to Maldives and got super excited when I saw this.
Searching without a promo code, the one way classic fare is $1,463 and comfort is $1,739.
Searching with this promo code, my one way classic fare says it was "reduced" from $1,676 down to $1,398. However, the comfort fare is down to $1,464 from...
This is very misleading if you're looking for the cheapest fare. I've actually been searching this weekend for flights to Maldives and got super excited when I saw this.
Searching without a promo code, the one way classic fare is $1,463 and comfort is $1,739.
Searching with this promo code, my one way classic fare says it was "reduced" from $1,676 down to $1,398. However, the comfort fare is down to $1,464 from $1,742.
So this is advertised as saving me $278 each way for both fare types, but in reality I'm saving $65 in classic and $275 in comfort.
Running the same search via Amex Platinum IAP gives a rate of $1,350 for classic. So definitely run the search with and without the promo and search other options to make sure you're getting the best deal.
same here, kind of lame
Does anyone know how to calculate how many AAdvantage miles you would earn on this flight? I noticed the chart posted but how do we know how many base miles we will accrue (assuming we have no status). Is this based on $ or miles flown? I am trying to weigh using miles or buying the flight.
I can’t find any mention of this promotion anywhere on the Qatar Airways website.
Is this gone ?
Just enter MPMEMBERS in the promo field. It works. Never really asks for your Alaska MP#. I used my AAdvantage # for mileage credit.
Great find! Just booked roundtrip Miami-Male, Maldives for $3389 roundtrip...about $1000 less than the normal, lowest business class fare. Based on the MPMEMBERS promo code you suggested, it discounted $275 each off of the lowest business class fare (it applied it to the return portion of the trip). Since I'm CK and my partner is EXP, it allowed immediate seat selection as well. On top of that, was able to use Marriott points for 10...
Great find! Just booked roundtrip Miami-Male, Maldives for $3389 roundtrip...about $1000 less than the normal, lowest business class fare. Based on the MPMEMBERS promo code you suggested, it discounted $275 each off of the lowest business class fare (it applied it to the return portion of the trip). Since I'm CK and my partner is EXP, it allowed immediate seat selection as well. On top of that, was able to use Marriott points for 10 nights at the St Regis. Thanks for the great info!
I can’t seem to find a fare anywhere near $2100 RT for HOU to Delhi. What dates are you seeing with that?
The discount doesn't seem to be applicable for ALL routes out of the USA. I'm having trouble getting it applied to certain routes... Any others having this issue?
I'm having issues getting the discount to apply to the Zanzibar fares. Any suggestions?
Al Safwa lounge is closed!!! On their website:
Welcome to the Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge experience
In our Al Safwa First Lounge, our one and only priority is you – our distinguished guest. Every inch, every feature, and every facet is specially designed to create the most luxurious lounge experience ever imagined. Our focus is on perfecting every moment with meticulous detail so that you can enjoy a seamless journey from start...
Al Safwa lounge is closed!!! On their website:
Welcome to the Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge experience
In our Al Safwa First Lounge, our one and only priority is you – our distinguished guest. Every inch, every feature, and every facet is specially designed to create the most luxurious lounge experience ever imagined. Our focus is on perfecting every moment with meticulous detail so that you can enjoy a seamless journey from start to departure.
In addition to First Class passengers, Privilege Club Platinum members travelling Business Class with Qatar Airways can now access Al Safwa First Class Lounge with up to two guest passes.
Please note that this lounge is temporarily closed.
Where does one enter the promo code on Qatar's website? I didn't see a field for it.
It is next to the Show Flights button on the landing page, right below the date field (desktop version)
Is there a way to check if the promo code works on a particular flight without entering all of your passport information, etc. ?
no lounge no thanks
Check on the destination country first as some countries prohibit entry from Doha even if you are transit!
Wait for a good deal or mistake fare. It’s going to happen. You’d be out of your mind to travel to the Middle East without purpose given the recent violence between Palestine and Israel. Add onto that a US administration perceived as weak in the international community. Funding Iran and Palestine was a brilliant idea.
I don't think there can be much violence transiting through Doha.
Add onto that a US administration perceived as weak in the international community was elected by WE THE PEOPLE.
No data supports your assertion. But thanks for playing.
The US is the laughing stock of the world thanks to the previous administration.
your comment about the lounge is quite misleading since the lounge you cite is the FIRST CLASS lounge (which I think is still closed). The business lounge (which you don't have access to) has lounge type chairs not beds. Still an excellent lounge, but even with status you'd get admitted to a different lounge than the actual QR one (which is actually excellent.
Are the Doha First and Business Class lounges (for Oneworld) still closed? If so, then all Emerald and Sapphire elites are being directed to the Al Mourjan lounge, so booking a basic Business Class ticket does not actually have any downside for those elites.
So far yes, the Emerald and Sapphire status lounges (first and business class lounges) are still closed. So all passengers getting lounge access via status are being sent the the Al Mourjan lounge. However, as traffic starts to pick up that might not last that long.
@Ben
The Al Safwa in Doha is still closed. So while it does indeed have beds, they are currently not going to help anyone on a long layover.
Does anyone still know if entering Qatar is still off-limits for Vaccinated American visitors? I wanna take Qatar airways And go out on a long layover
Qatar is still not allowing foreign tourists to enter the country or do stop over stays. You have to stay in the airport during your transit.
Ben - I am right in assessing that bookings made by June 30th will still be fully refundable if cancelled prior to departure, per Qatar's current Covid policy?
Any good fares from LA?
The concept of a business class fare with no lounge is so off-putting to me, especially given the layovers in Doha can be quite long. For the right price, though...
I’m looking at LAX now on Google Flights. Seeing JNB for $2900 and CPT for $2800, pre-discount, towards the end of the schedule. That’s low enough to pique my interest.
With these “basic” business class fares how much extra does it typically cost for seat assignments and/or lounge access?
With the Classic ("basic") Business Class fare you can buy access (ahead of time or once you get there) to the Al Mourjan Lounge for 450QR per person for each time you transit through. Qatar will not let you buy seat selection though with the Classic fare (you can get seats only when you check in or originally buy their Comfort or Elite fares).
Was hoping to see some good fares to Phuket, since they are doing the sandbox starting in July and Qatar is one of the few airlines flying in, but not seeing much.
Last week I booked 4 seats Qatar Business Comfort Class going LAX/CPT returning JNB/LAX for April 2022 and the fare was about $3,200 pp round trip (a really GREAT price). I just tried your promotion code for the same itinerary and it did knock off $500 apiece ........ but ...... the new fare was $7,284 pp round trip! Qatar does seem to fluctuate their prices quite a lot and quite often. I guess it is all in the timing.
I’m having zero luck finding SEA-ATH for that price RT anywhere on the calendar. Found some OW flights for $2500 with the code but that was it.
There's a 7-day minimum stay requirement in case you're searching for shorter trips, but availability is plentiful from mid-July onwards.